The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens held its now firmly established and highly symbolic Annual Faculty Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, at 18:00, in the filled-to-capacity Great Hall of the University’s Main Building.
The awards recognized achievement across three categories:
Outstanding Contribution to the University and Society,
Outstanding Teaching, and
Excellence in Research.
Professor Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, delivered the opening address.
Minister of Education Sofia Zacharaki also addressed the ceremony.
The Deans of the Schools introduced the award recipients, followed by the presentation of awards by the Rector, Vice-Rectors, Minister of Education, Sofia Zacharaki, and Deputy Minister, Nikolaos Papaioannou.
Among those in attendance were the members of the University’s Administration Council and the full Senate.
In a particularly distinguished and symbolic moment, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens awarded a Commendation to the Greek Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Sofia Zacharaki.
The honour recognized her contributions to education and educational policy, as well as her academic accomplishments at the University of Athens, where she studied English Language and Literature at the School of Philosophy before pursuing postgraduate studies at the School of Education.
Rector Siasos presented the distinction, highlighting the Minister’s long-standing connection with the University and underscoring the importance of public service in education as the highest form of social participation.
In his remarks, Rector Siasos noted: ‘Today, for the second consecutive year, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens honours its faculty members, consolidating an institution of academic recognition and collective pride.
We honour those who, through outstanding university teaching, shape new generations of scientists; through recognized research excellence, advance knowledge and expand the frontiers of science; and through long-standing service, strengthen the role of our University in society, contributing to our shared vision of continuous progress and development.
Our University has long distinguished itself through the work of great teachers who, with dedication and passion, chart the path of academic excellence and consistently lead it to the forefront of scientific and social developments at the national and international levels. From the first full professors and readers who served the Institution in the nineteenth century to today’s pioneers of science, the chain of academic continuity remains unbroken, confirming that the University’s progress rests, above all, on its people.
The University of Athens, the oldest and largest University in South-Eastern Europe, has served since its founding as both a centre of knowledge and a cornerstone of the modern Greek State. After nearly two centuries of a strong presence in higher education, it ranks among the world’s leading Universities, with a significant research footprint and over 800 collaborations in 63 countries.
This international recognition reflects sustained investment in teaching quality, research innovation, and outward engagement. A historic milestone in the University’s internationalization strategy was the establishment of its Branch in Cyprus—the first and only branch of a Greek public University operating outside Greece.
As we speak, 192 faculty members of the University of Athens rank among the top 2% of scientists worldwide.
Through today’s awards, we recognize those who innovate and dare to chart new paths in knowledge with cutting-edge research; those who, with persistence, tackle contemporary challenges and open new horizons for the public University, for our country, and for humanity.
This ceremony concerns not only the present of our Institution but, above all, its future—and the future of our country. Our young scientists and students find in today’s honourees living examples of scientific integrity, dedication, and creative courage’.
Next came the awards presentation:
Outstanding Contribution to the University and Society 2024-2025:
School of Theology
Spyridon Tsitsigkos, Professor at the Department of Social Theology and Religious Studies
The award was accepted on his behalf by his son
School of Health Sciences
Dimitrios Boubas, Emeritus Professor at the School of Medicine
School of Law
Linos-Alexandros Sicilianos, Professor at the School of Law
School of Philosophy
Angeliki Gena, Professor at the Department of Educational Studies
Chryse Hatzichristou, Professor at the Department of Psychology
School of Science
Christina-Anna Mitsopoulou, Emeritus Professor at the Department of Chemistry
Apostolos Burnetas, Professor at the Department of Mathematics
School of Economics and Political Sciences
Charalambos Chryssanthakis, Professor at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Eleni Sella, Emeritus Professor at the Department of Turkish Studies and Modern Asian Studies
School of Physical Education and Sport Science
Nikolaos Geladas, Professor at the School of Physical Education and Sport Science
Outstanding Teaching 2024-2025:
School of Theology
Stavros Giagkazoglou, Associate Professor at the Department of Theology
School of Health Sciences
Athanasios Papavasileiou, Professor at the School of Medicine
Athina Kalokairinou, Professor at the Department of Nursing
School of Law
Photini Pazartzis, Professor at the School of Law
School of Philosophy
Platon Petridis, Professor at the Department of History and Archaeology
Maria Papadima, Emeritus Professor at the Department of French Language and Literature
School of Science
Michael Maliakas, Professor at the Department of Mathematics
Niki Evelpidou, Professor at the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment
School of Economics and Political Sciences
Dimitri Sotiropoulos, Professor at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Dimitrios Chrysochoou, Professor at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration
School of Education
Iro Mylonakou-Keke, Professor at the Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education
Panagiotis Tzamargias, Special Teaching Staff at the Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education
School of Physical Education and Sport Science
Fotini Venetsanou, Professor at the School of Physical Education and Sport Science
Excellence in Research 2024-2025:
School of Theology
Efstathios Lianos-Liantis, Associate Professor at the Department of Social Theology and Religious Studies
School of Health Sciences
Ilias Siempos, Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine
Petros Galanis, Associate Professor at the Department of Nursing
School of Law
Nikolaos Simantiras, Assistant Professor at the School of Law
School of Philosophy
Nikolaos Dimakis, Associate Professor at the Department of History and Archaeology
Eleni Vousoura, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology
School of Science
Maria Petropoulou, Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics
Anthoula-Chrysa Papageorgiou, Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry
School of Economics and Political Sciences
Constantinos Repapis, Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics
Evangelia Siachou, Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics
School of Education
Anna Tsiboukli, Assistant Professor at the Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education
Vasiliki Lekka, Assistant Professor at the Department of Early Childhood Education
School of Physical Education and Sport Science
Maria Maraki, Assistant Professor at the School of Physical Education and Sport Science
University of Athens Annual Faculty Awards Ceremony 2024-2025 Download
Watch the ceremony here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gSYEVx2fKs
Photos: Dimitris Konstantinidis
